LOS ANGELES -- As Wayne Jackson stood on stage to accept a Grammy award for lifetime achievement, the thoughts and feelings came pouring out -- so did the tears.

On Saturday afternoon, Jackson and his longtime Memphis Horns partner Andrew Love were honored during ceremonies at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, part of the 54th annual Grammy festivities.

Jackson spoke haltingly of the Horns' five-decade run, and the deep affection between him and his longtime collaborator Love, who remained in Memphis due to his ailing health.

"I thank and honor my best friend Andrew tonight," said Jackson, his voice breaking. "I wish he was here."

Love was diagnosed with Alzheimer's nearly a decade ago. His wife, Willie, and two younger children, Angela Love Parker and André Love, appeared at the ceremonies in his place.

"Andrew is home today, but I stand here with great pride and humility...and accept the award proudly," said an emotional Willie Love.

The Horns were part of a prestigious group of 2012 lifetime award winners that included Motown diva Diana Ross, Southern rock giants The Allman Brothers Band, country singing legend George Jones and pop hitmaker Glen Campbell.

The recognition was especially notable for the Horns, who are the only group of backing musicians, aside from Motown's Funk Brothers, to ever receive the honor.

Trumpeter Jackson and saxophonist Love, both 70, made their early reputations as part of the house unit at Stax Records. They later went out on their own, working with Memphis institutions like Hi Records and American Studios, eventually becoming the most in-demand horn section in the world. The pair was essential in providing parts for hit records by Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, James Taylor, and U2, among many others.

Grammy president Neil Portnow praised the Horns as "the breath of soul," before a video tribute that chronicled the group's career highlights was shown.

"It has been a magical journey," said Jackson, closing his speech to a loud and boisterous standing ovation. "We had a fine time."

Prior to the awards, Jackson and Love were honored by the Memphis Music Foundation during a special breakfast at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The event was attended by a host of Bluff City luminaries including Stax veterans Booker T. Jones and Deanie Parker.

The Memphis Horns also will be highlighted during today's Grammy telecast, which airs locally on WREG-TV Channel 3 at 7 p.m.

The Horns' Grammy follows recent Lifetime Achievement and Trustees awards for Memphis figures Booker T & the MGs and the late Estelle Axton in 2007, producer Willie Mitchell in 2008 and former Stax label executive Al Bell in 2011.